Road finishing float apparatus



June 16, 1964 M. l. HUDlS ROAD FINISHING FLOAT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 25, 1959 INVENTOR. Alla/la I //z/0/.r

June 16, 1964 M. l. HUDIS ROAD FINISHING FLOAT APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1959 4 SheetsSheet 2 IN VEN TOR. Marla Z 1%10/1 June 16, 1964 M. l. HUDIS ROAD FINISHING FLOAT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25, 1959 KQ NM M kw m Nw M W & Z

June 16, 1964 M. 1. HUDIS ROAD FINISHING FLOAT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 25, 1959 y mm H W /m I z l K g 4 w \M M \m NRRRE M \Q E M N\ IRE $5 NM United States Patent 3,137,219 ROAD FINISHING FLOAT APPARATUS Michael I. Hudis, Wauiresha, Wis, assignor to Chain Belt Company, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed May 25, 1959, Ser. No. 815,427 17 Claims. (Cl. 94-45) This invention relates to concrete finishing apparatus and is particularly directed to a separate drag float apparatus which is adapted to be selectively coupled to a conventional concrete finishing device,

In laying concrete roadways and other similar concrete areas, a flowing concrete mass is continuously deposited between a pair of forms defining the roadway. The plastic mass is uniformly distributed between the forms by a conventional automatic spreader to provide a relatively level roadbed. A reciprocating finishing device then moves over the roadbed to give the desired configuration and a relatively fine surface.

A final finish to the surface of the concrete is normally provided by dragging or pushing a relatively heavy platelike float across the struck concrete. The float structure contains a sufiicient mass to compress the concrete and smooth out any irregularities in the concrete road surface. The float apparatus functions to improve the physical constitution of the concrete without drawing the fine material from within the concrete to the surface as in more conventional trowling apparatus.

The float structure is normally either a self-contained and self-propelled unit or a separate, non-self-supporting unit which is rigidly attached between modified finishing machines for support and movement.

The self-propelled float construction allows independent control of the speed of the float but is relatively expensive due to the required separate drive control and movable supporting means. Further, the wheel base is generally relatively short and vertical irregularities in the tracks are noticeably transmitted to the float.

The separate, non-self-supporting float construction is selectively incorporated between two conventional finishing machine structures. The finishing machine structures are modified to include front and rear pivotally mounted supporting wheels or bogies to substantially reduce the vertical irregularities in the tracks or forms defining the roadbed from being transmitted to the float structure. The connection of the supporting wheels and of the float apparatus to the finishing machine structures is relatively complicated. Separation of the finisher from the float apparatus when it is desired to use the finisher alone is therefore expensive and time consuming. Further, the float apparatus must be completely dismantled to provide ready transportation across conventional width highways in accordance with governmental rules and regulations prescribing maximum widths of vehicles which can travel on the highways.

A conventional finishing device normally includes front and back laterally reciprocating plate-like members, called screeds, which are secured to opposite ends of a supporting superstructure. Front and rear wheels are attached to the superstructure to support the screeds on suitable tracks defining the roadbed. The screeds extend across the roadbed and rest directly on the tracks to level off the roadbed in accordance with the level of the tracks. The weight of the screeds is sufliciently great to normally prevent lifting of the screeds by the concrete mass which accumulates in front of the screeds. The supporting wheels must be fixed to the superstructure, in contrast to the pivotal connection in a float structure, to prevent lifting of either screed from the supporting tracks.

Therefore, in known conventional screed-type finishers, to be alternately used alone or in combination with a drag-float apparatus, the wheels are interconnected as a 3,137,219 Patented June 16, 1964 separate truck or bogie which is pivotally secured to the screed supporting superstructure. Additional locking means are provided to permit fixing of the bogies to the superstructure such that the screed-type finisher can be used alone. The bogie construction and the additional locking means increases the initial cost of the screed-type finisher and also increases the time and cost of interchanging the functional setting of the finisher.

In accordance with the present invention, a separate float apparatus is provided which includes a supporting structure having a self-supporting end and a coupling end adapted to be releasably coupled to a conventional finishing machine in a rapid and easy manner.

The coupling is preferably a simple slot and shaft unit which allows the coupled end to be readily lifted off and disconnected from the finishing machine. The pin and slot coupling also allow relative pivotal movement between the finishing machine and the float apparatus. The conventional finishing machine having permanently fixed wheels is thereby employed without transmitting pivotal movement of the finishing machine to the float apparatus. The pivotal coupling thus avoids the necessity of the complicated wheel mountings previously employed.

The float structure is secured generally centrally of the finishing machine and of the bogie section such that the vertical movement of the corresponding end of the float apparatus is one half that of the bogie. The finishing machine and rear bogie section support also create a relatively long wheel base support for the float which is located centrally thereof. Consequently, vertical movement of the float incident to vertical movement of the respective supporting means is reduced by substantially seventy-five percent.

The float unit or apparatus is formed in three pivotally connected sections comprising a forward coupling section, an intermediate float support section and a trailing bogie support section. The coupling section and the bogie sup port section are adapted to fold inwardly toward the intermediate section to form a compact and easily transported assembly,

In finishing systems employing a drag float, the trailing or second screed is normally operated as a metering screed which is fixed at a preselected level generally corresponding to the desired level of the concrete bed. The lateral ends of the screeds may be resiliently secured in position and ride on the tracks to trap a preselected quantity of concrete in front of the screed.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, screed mounting members are secured to the forward portion of the intermediate float support section to support a metering screed. A screed carriage is adjustably vertically secured to the arm and terminates in a shaft carrying a pair of stationary rollers to support the screed for lateral oscillation in a preselected plane. The members are hinged to the support section to allow swinging of the arms upwardly when the coupling section is to be folded inwardly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a chain or similar transmission is mounted on the float apparatus and is adapted to be connected to the main drive of the finishing machine to positively drive the float apparatus. Individual end transmission units are provided in the coupling section and the bogie sec tion which transmissions are releasably coupled to an intermediate coupling transmission unit carried by the intermediate float support section. The intermediate coupling transmission unit is adapted to be readily decoupled from the adjacent end sections. The drive is thus readily broken to allow folding of the coupling section and the trailing bogie section toward the intermediate section to form the compact unit during storage, transporting and the like.

As previously noted, the float is a heavy plate-like member adapted to be dragged or pushed across the surface of the concrete bed. In normal operation of road finishing and the like, situations arise when the float must be lifted from the concrete surface being finished. Conventionally the float is raised vertically. However, suction forces between the float and concrete surface make the lifting extremely diflicult. Further, the concrete surface immediately beneath the float is damaged as a result of raising areas of the surface before the suction forces created in lifting the float are overcome.

The initial vertical positioning of the float is often directly on an already float finished surface trailing new portions of a road bed. In conventional constructions, the vertical lowering of the float onto the roadbed results in a depression or shelf adjacent the trailing edge of the float.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the float is supported for floating movement over the roadbed by a rigid rear thrust member and by an upper sliding thrust connection. The rear thrust member is pivotally secured to the supporting superstructure and extends forwardly and downwardly to a pivotal connection to the float. The sliding thrust connection transmits the forward movement of the superstructure to the float while permitting free vertical movement of the float, A float positioner is attached to the float and is adapted to raise the float upwardly from the operating position. The initial raising of the float pivots the rigid rear thrust member about the pivotal connection to the supporting structure which causes the rear portion of the float to rise slightly faster than the front portion and further causes the float to slide forward slightly. This movement readily breaks the suction forces between the float and the concrete surface to allow ready lifting of the float without damage to the concrete surface. The continued lifting of the float positions the float with the front edge above the trailing edge for transportation, storage and the like.

In the return movement of the float to operating posi tion, the float apparatus is moved slowly over the con crete bed and the float lowered into operating position. The leading edge first drops into position and the float glides into place as the float apparatus moves forwardly. The slight backward movement of the float does not damage the concrete surface because the movement of the float apparatus maintains relatively positive forward movement of the float.

The rear thrust member and the upper thrust connection establish a strong and rugged attachment which readily absorbs the high stresses created in the operation of the float. Further, the connections serve to stabilize the float in all directions.

The present invention provides a float construction which is readily assembled and disassembled with respect to a finishing unit. Consequently, the versatility of the equipment is greater than previously known devices and the rate of production can be substantially increased.

The folding construction of the apparatus provides simple transportability with a minimum of time in converting the unit into a transportable package. The float is readily positioned and accurately supported in a most advantageous manner to establish a smooth road surface.

The drawings furnished herewith illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is aside elevational view of a road finishing apparatus including a drag float apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1 showing the drag float construction;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the forward coupling. construction taken, on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlargement of a pivotal connection within the drag float structure taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged end view of a portion of the drag float mounting taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the float mounting taken on line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the drag float mounting taken on line 77 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a series of diagrammatic illustrations of the lifting movement of the drag float shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and 5-7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view of a float supported metering screed shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the metering screed shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a simplified illustration of a chain drive of the float apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-4.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a concrete finishing apparatus is shown generally including a rough screed finisher 1 which is movably mounted upon a pair of conventional transversely spaced tracks 2 which define a road bed. A plastic concrete 3 is deposited between the tracks 2 in any suitable manner, not shown. The rough finisher 1 levels the concrete 3 between the spaced tracks 2 to provide a relatively level surface. A float finisher 4 is secured to the trailing end of the finishing machine 1 and includes a drag float 5 which rests upon the upper surface of the concrete 3 to work the concrete mass and give a fine final finish to the upper surface of the concrete.

The illustrated rough screed finisher 1 is of a standard construction and includes a pair of spaced side channel frames 6 interconnected by laterally extending cross beams 7. A front wheel 8 and a rear wheel 9, of the usual flange variety, are rotatably fixed by front and rear axles 10 and 11 to the leading and trailing ends of the channel frames 6 to rotatably support the screed finisher 1 upon the tracks 2.

A gasoline engine 12 is mounted on the cross-beams 7 and includes an output shaft 13 which is connected to drive the four wheels of the screed finisher 1. A standard transmission and reduction chain assembly, not shown, coupling shaft 13 to a driven shaft 14 which is journaled in the side channel frames 6.

The chain drive to the. right and left wheels of the screed finisher 1 are the same and only the right wheel connection is shown in detail and described. Further, the connection between the engine 12 and shafts 13 is conventional and normally includes control means to allow simultaneous driving of both right and left wheels or separate and individual drive of either the right or left wheels for turning of the screed finisher.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, a chain drive 15 directly connects the driven shaft 14 to the front wheel axle 10. The rear Wheel 9 is driven from shaft 14 in the following manner. A center pivot and drive shaft 16 is journaled within suitable bearings 17 on the side channel frames 6 of finisher 1 centrally between the front wheel 8. and the rear'wheel 9. A chain 18 connects the shaft 16 to the driven shaft 14. A rear drive shaft 19 is journaled within suitable bearings in channel frame 6 slightly forwardly of the rear wheel 9 and is connected by a chain 20 to the center shaft 16 and by a chain 21 to the rear wheel axle 11. The rear drive shaft 19 is employed in accordance with standard chain drive train practice. The center shaft 16 is employed for coupling to the float finisher 4 as more fully described hereinafter.

A conventional front screed 22 is secured to the leading end of the finisher 1 and rests upon tracks 2 to level off the mass of concrete 3 and provide an initial finish to the upper surface. The screed 22 is supported by a pair of laterally spaced and horizontally projecting arms 23 and depending chain 24 in a conventional manner. Suitable hydraulic motors 25 of the double acting variety are pivotally secured to the arms 23 and to the finisher superstructure to selectively raise and lower the arms 23 and the attached screed 22.

The screed 22 is suitably mounted for oscillatory movement in a lateral direction over the concrete 3 in a manner, not shown, to distribute the concrete and to impart a relatively rough surface finish to the top surface of the concrete. The illustrated screed 22 includes a standard manually adjusted crown control beam 26 to selectively determine the convexity of the concrete surface.

To further finish the upper surface of the concrete 3, the float finisher 4 is coupled to the trailing end of the finisher 1 to move a metering screed 27 and the float 5 successively across the upper surface of the concrete 3.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the float finisher 4 generally comprises a pair of forward coupling arms 28 and 29 and a pair of rear bogie units 30 and 31 which are pivotally connected to the front and rear of an intermediate float supporting section 32, respectively. The forward coupling arms 28 and 29 are releasably coupled to the rough finisher 1 to establish simultaneous movement therebetween. The rear bogie units 30 and 31 each include a suitable wheel bogie 33 which is adapted to movably support the adjacent trailing end of the float finisher 4 upon the spaced tracks 2. The intermediate section 32 is adapted to support the metering screed 27 and the drag float 5 for movement across the upper surface of the concrete 3.

The coupling arms 28 and 29 are generally spaced in accordance with the width of the road bed to dispose the arms in general alignment with the side frames 6 of the screed finisher 1. The coupling arms 28 and 29 are similarly constructed and coupled to the adjacent center pivot and drive shaft 16 in the right and left side frames 6 of the finisher 1. Consequently, only the mounting and construction of the coupling arm 28 is described in detail.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the arm 28 is generally an inverted U-shaped channel having an inner side wall 34 which flares outwardly from the intermediate float support section 32 to establish an offset portion which extends forwardly immediately adjacent the outer side channel frame 6 of the screed finisher 1. A lower portion of the forward end of the side wall 34 of arm 28 is removed and a bearing plate 35 is bolted by a plurality of bolts 36 to the terminal end of side wall 34. A vertically extending slot 37 is formed in the lower edge of plate 35 and is adapted to fit over a lateral extension 38 of shaft 16.

The outer wall of arm 28 extends downwardly in laterally spaced relation past the outer end of the lateral shaft extension 38. A shaft plate 39 is rigidly secured to the inner surface of the outer wall and supports a stub shaft 40 in axial alignment with the extension shaft 38.

The top wall of the channel-shaped arm 27 covers the shaft extension 38 and the stub shaft 40 and establishes a housing or cover for a clutch assembly 41 mounted on shafts 38 and 40 and constituting a portion of a rearward transmission system from shaft 16 to the bogie 33 of the rear bogie section 29 of the float finisher 4, as subsequently described.

The above shaft and slot coupling of the drag float finisher 4 to the rough finisher 1 allows relative pivotal movement of the rough finisher 1. Consequently, either end of the finisher 1 may pivot vertically about the shaft extension 38 without transmitting the vertical movement to the float finisher 4 and the float 5. Further, the amplitude of the vertical movement of the shaft and consequently of the coupled float incident to movement of either wheel 13 or 14 is only about 50 percent of the pivotal movement when one wheel pivots about the other.

The slotted coupling also allows ready disassembly and assembly of the drag float finisher 4 where the screed finisher 1 is to be used alone.

The forward coupling arms 28 and 29 are similarly, releasably attached to the intermediate float supporting 6 section 32 in the following manner, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Upper and lower horizontal lugs 42 are secured to the trailing end of side wall 34 and similar upper and lower horizontal plates or lugs 43 are secured to the forward end of the float supporting section 32. The lugs 42 and 43 are vertically apertured to receive a pin 44 to establish a hinge connection pivotally attaching the coupling arms 28 and 29 for horizontal swinging movement relative to the intermediate float supporting section 32. Mating outer flanges 45 and 46 are secured respectively to the top and side walls of adjacent portions of arm 28 and float section 32 and a plurality of bolts 47 releasably lock the flanges in touching relation. During operation of the float finisher 4, the flanges 45 and 46 are tied together to form a rigid and rugged float construction. However, during storage, transportation and the like, the flanges 45 and 46 are readily released by removal of bolts 47 and the forward channel arms 28 and 29 swung or pivoted into the phantom line position shown in FIG. 2 to form a small, highly portable unit.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the rear bogie units 30 and 31 of the float finisher 4 includes side channel frames 48 and 49 which respectively support the right and left bogie 33. The frames 48 and 49 are each pivotally secured by a lug and bolt assembly 50, corresponding to the pivotal attachment of the coupling arms 28 and 29, to the adjacent portion of the intermediate float supporting section 32 to pivotally support the bogies 33 for selective positioning, as shown in FIG. 2, in the full line position for a finishing operation and the phantom line position for transportation and the like. Mating flanges and bolt assemblies 51 releasably fix the frames 48 and 49 to the float supporting section 32 during a finishing operation. The assemblies 51 duplicate the mating flanges 45 and 46 to permit attachment of individual bogie units corresponding to units 30 and 31 in place of coupling arms 28 and 29 as subsequently described.

The bogie units 30 and 31 and the attached bogies 33 correspond in detail and a single detailed description is given for bogie unit 30.

Frame 48 of bogie unit 30 is a downwardly open channel which tapers rearwardly and downwardly from the intermediate float section 32 to locate the bogie 33 upon track 2.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bogie 33 includes a triangular shaped housing 52 rotatably carrying a forward wheel 53 and a rear wheel 54. The wheels 53 and 54 are standard flanged wheels and no further description is deemed necessary. The housing 52 is intermediately mounted upon a central pivot and drive shaft 55 with the apex of the triangular shaped housing disposed within the channel-shaped frame 48. The pivot shaft 55 is mounted in suitable supporting bearings 56 adjacent the lower and trailing portion of the side frame 48 to support the bogie housing 52 with a slight vertical spacing 57 between the adjacent upper walls of the channel frame 48 and the bogie housing 52 incident to movement in a common horizontal plane. If the track 2 is uneven, the housing 52 pivots about shaft 55 to the extent permitted by the spacing 57. Consequently, limited unevenness in track 2 is not transmitted to the drag float 5.

The float support section 32 of the float finisher 4 supports the metering screed 27 forwardly of the drag float 5 for movement upon the upper surface of the concrete incident to the movement of the screed finisher 1.

The central float supporting section 32 generally includes a pair of side channels 58 and 59 which are of an inverted U-shape in cross-section and have a configuration generally corresponding to the forward coupling arms 28 and 29 and the trailing bogie section frames 48 and 49. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the channels 58 and 59 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured adjacent the coupling arms 28 and 29 to a pair of forward 7 extensible beams 60 and adjacent the frames 48 and 49 to a pair of trailing extensible beams 61. A forward cross beam 62 and a trailing cross-beam 63 are releasably connected to the opposite ends of the corresponding extensible beams 60 and 61 to interconnect the side channels 58 and 59. Suitable deck plate 64 extending parallel and angularly to the side channels 58 and 59 are rigidly bolted or otherwise secured to the cross beams 62 and 63 and to each other to establish a rigid supporting frame structure.

Each of the extensible beams 60 and 61 is similarly movably supported to the adjacent front or trailing cross beam 62 and 63, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, by upper and lower pairs of supporting rollers 65 which are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the corresponding cross beams 62 and 63. Pairs of upper and lower clamps 66 are disposed over the upper and lower flanges of the adjacent portions of the extensible beams and the cross beams to releasably interlock the extensible beams 60 and 61 to the corresponding cross beams 62 and 63.

The extensible beams 60 and 61 are positioned to dispose the several previously described side channels and frame of the float finisher 4 in alignment with the tracks 2. Suitable positioning screws, not shown, may be journaled in the side channels 58 and 59 and cooperate with correspondingly threaded followers, not shown, on the superstructure of the intermediate float support section 32. The screws may be manually or power operated to easily and accurately locate the channels 58 and 59 with respect to the tracks 2 to support the metering screed 27 and the drag float for operation.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 9 and 10, the metering screed 27 includes a standard screed plate 67 having resiliently mounted end sections 68 and riding on the tracks 2. A manually adjusted crown beam 69 is secured to the screed plate 67 by a plurality of crown bolts 70. The screed 27 is secured to the front crossbeam 62 of the float finisher 4 in the illustrated embodiment of the invention by a pair of similar and laterally spaced hangers 71 and 72.

The construction of the screed 27 forms a part of the subject matter of a copending application, Serial Number 806,003, filed April 13, 1959, by Michael I. Hudis and George E. Mihulowicz, entitled Pavement Surface Finishing Apparatus, and now Patent No. 3,094,048.

Referring particulu to hanger 71, as shown in FIGS. 2, 9 and 10, an inverted U-shaped channel arm 73 is pinned to the top of the cross beam 62 by a laterally arranged pin cooperating lugs 74. The channel arm 73 is vertically enlarged adjacent the beam 62 to extend below the beam 62. An apertured flange 75 is provided on the lower portion of the arm 73 in alignment with a correspondingly apertured L-shaped channel 76 secured to the undersurface of the cross beam 62. Nut and bolt assemblies 77 pass through the aligned apertures to releasably attach the arm 73 to the cross beam 62. An attachment plate 78 having a central tapped opening 79 is secured to the projecting end of the arm 73 to support a plate-like screed carriage 80 which is mounted for vertical adjustment. A pair of laterally spaced reinforcing strips 81 are weeded to the front of carriage 80 to either side of a vertical slot 82. A clamp bracket 83 spans the distance between the strips 81 in alignment with the tapped opening 79 in the attachment plate 78 and the slot 82 in the screed carriage 80. A bolt 84 extends through the clamp bracket 83 and screed carriage 80 and threads with the tapped opening 79 to securely fix the screed carriage in position.

In operation, setscrew 92 is adjusted to position the metering screed 27 to ride at an even level generally at the final level of concrete 3 and meters suflicient concrete to establish effective operation of the float 5. The weight of the screed 27 is sufficient to maintain the screed plate 67 at the lowermost position.

A journal 85 is welded within an arcuate opening in the bottom edge of the screed carriage and to the adjacent ends of the vertical strips 81. The journal extends laterally of the screed plate 67 and supports a shaft 86 which is secured in place by setscrew 87. Rollers 88 are journaled on the outer ends of the shaft 86 and inverted L-shaped brackets 89 ride upon the top of the rollers. L-shaped channels 90 are welded to the depending legs of the brackets 89 and are bolted to the crown beam 69 of the metering screed 27.

The screed 27 is coupled to an oscillating drive from the screed finisher 1, not shown, to oscillate laterally of the roadbed. The supporting rollers 88 are stationary and allow straight line movement of the screed 27.

During storage, transportation and the like, the screed 27 is removed from the hangers 71 and 72. The nut and bolt assemblies 77 are released and the hangers 71 and 72 swing upwardly to the phantom line position of FIG. 9. The coupling arms 28 and 29 can then be folded inwardly to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 2.

A bridge member 91 is welded to the upper ends of the strips 81 and extends rearwardly above the forward end of the changer 71. A setscrew 92 threads downwardly through a tapped opening in the bridge member and into engagement with a bearing bracket 93 on the hanger. The adjustment of the setscrew 92 determines the setting of the screed carriage 80 and the attached screed.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-7, the drag float 5 which imparts a very smooth final finish to the concrete 3 comprises a flat float plate 94 which extends laterally, substantially coincident with the width of the concrete 3 between the tracks 2. The float plate 94 is formed of a suitable sheet metal to provide a flat smooth undersurface in engagement with the upper surface of the concrete and normally is formed of a plurality of individual lateral plate members to allow adjustment of the width of the plate in accordance with the width of the concrete 3. The forward or leading edge of the plate 94 is bent forwardly and upwardly to prevent digging of the plate into the concrete 3 as the plate is pushed over the concrete.

The float plate 94 is supported on the two outermost deck plates 64 generally centrally of the cross beams 62 and 63. The drag float 5 is thus supported substantially centrally of the wheel base established by the screed finisher 1 and the trailing bogie units 30 and 31, as follows.

A crown beam 95 is secured by a plurality of crown bolts 96 to the top surface of float plate 94 to allow deformation of the plate 94 for crowning of the concrete 3 in a conventional manner.

The crown beam 95 is supported upon the superstructure of the intermediate float supporting section 32 by a pair of similar mountings on the outermost deck plates 64. Each mounting is the same and only one is described in detail.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 5-7, the mountings include a channel bracket 97 having a U-shaped cross section which is secured by a plurality of bolts 98 to the upper surface of the crown beam 95. The bracket 97 extends vertically upwardly adjacent one side of the deck plate 64 and is provided with a vertically extending slot 99 beneath the deck plate. Thrust wear bars 109 of cold finished steel or the like are secured to the web of the channel bracket 97 immediately adjacent the slot 99. A hanger roller 101 is secured to deck plate 64 and mounted within the slot 99 as defined by the wear bars 100 to pivotally support the bracket 97 and the attached float plate 94. The roller 101 includes a relatively heavy body portion disposed between the bars 100 and an encircling flange 102 which slidably engages the adjacent surface of bars 100.

The hanger roller 101 is journaled on a horizontal bearing bolt 103 which passes through a depending L- shaped bracket 104 having an opening to accommodate the bolt. The bracket 104 is welded or otherwise secured to the undersurface of the deck plate 64 to locate 9 the roller 101 within the slot 99. A nut 105 is secured to bolt 103 and when drawn up locks the roller 101 within the slot 99 of bracket 97 with the flange 102 engaging the adjacent surface of the wear bars 100.

The slot 99 and roller 101 cooperate to provide a low friction vertical and pivotal movement track for the float plate 94.

When the float finisher 4 is moved on tracks 2, the rollers 101 bear against the adjacent wear bar 100 and pushes on the bracket 97 to move the float 5.

The lowermost movement of the plate 94 is determined by a setscrew stop 106 which is secured to the top of the bracket 97 and adapted to engage an upper surface portion of the adjacent deck plate 64. A lateral stop plate 107 is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the top of the bracket 97 and extends laterally therefrom overlying the adjacent deck plate 64. A suitable locking nut 108 is provided on the stop plate 107 to receive the setscrew stop 106 in alignment with the deck plate 64. The leading edge 109 of the stop plate 107 flares upwardly and forwardly to provide a stop incident to pivotal movement of the bracket 97 and the attached float plate 94. Similarly, the trailing edge 110 of the plate 107 is flared upwardly and rearwardly to provide a stop in the opposite direction.

A thrust link 111 is adjustably pivotally secured to the trailing end of the float plate 94 and the adjacent superstructure of the float supporting section 32 to transmit the thrust forces on the float plate 94 to the superstructure. A lug 112 is provided on the top surface of the plate 94 and the forward end of the thrust link 111 is pivotally secured to the apertured lug by a pin 113. A depending brace 114 is secured to the adjacent superstructure of the float supporting section 32 terminating rearwardly and above the float plate 94 and the lug 112. The opposite end of link 111 is pivotally secured to the lower end of brace 114 by a pin 115.

The thrust link 111 is made as an adjustable threaded shaft having separable end member for accurately locating the plate 94.

' During storage, transportation and the like of the float finisher 4, the plate 94 is pivoted upwardly within the superstructure of. supporting section 32 to the upper position shown in FIG. 8. In the illustrated embodiinent of theinvention, a hydraulic motor 116 is provided for selectively positioning the plate 94 in the following manner.

The hydraulic motor 116 includes a cylinder which is pivotally secured to the bracing of the float supporting section 32 as at 117. A piston 118 is journaled in the cylinder and protrudes therefrom with the outer end of the tubular piston pinned to a crank 119 on a laterally extending torque tube 120. Suitable fluid pressure lines 121 and 122 are connected respectively to the opposite ends of the hydraulic motor 116 to selectively position the motor piston 118 and to thereby angularly position the attached torque tube 120. The torque tube 120 extends transversely of the float finisher 4 and is journaled within suitable bearing blocks 123 which are secured to the undersurface of the deck plates 64 immediately adjacent behind each of the supporting channel brackets 97.

The torque tube 120 is correspondingly secured to the spaced hanger brackets 97 by a crank 124 and a rigid link 125. Crank 124 is-rigidly secured to the torque tube 120 and extends radially downwardly from the torque tube over the'crown beam 95 immediately adjacent the bracket 97. The link 125 is pinned to the outer end of crank 124 by a pin connector 126 and extends vertically downwardly to a brace 127 on the immediately adjacent hanger brackets 97. A suitable pin connector 128 secures the lower end of the link 125 to the brace 127. p The motor 116 is preferably of the double acting type to permit locking of the torque tube 120 in a desired 10 position and also allow floating support of the torque tube.

When the hydraulic motor 116 is energized the torque tube 120 is rotated and the drag float brackets 97 are correspondingly positioned between the illustrated operating position shown in FIG. 1 and the lower position in FIG. 8 and a non-operating position shown in the upper view of FIG. 8.

In the operating position shown in the drawings, the plate 94 is normally free to move in a vertical direction due to the several pivotal connections interconnecting the plate 94 to the structure. The hydraulic motor 116 is so connected to lines 121 and 122 as to permit the free floating movement.

Consequently, as the screed finisher 1 is propelled along the tracks 2 to distribute and rough finish the concrete 3, the float finisher 4 is pulled along and the float plate 94 is dragged over the upper surface of the concrete 3. The movement of plate 94 imparts a smooth, even finish to the upper surface of the concrete.

Although the float plate 94 is normally supported for free floating movement over the concrete 3, there are occasions when the float plate 94 is locked in a preselected operating position. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the double acting motor 116 can be locked in position by interconnecting fluid lines 121 and 122 and to prevent movement of fluid through the lines. This provides a simple and inexpensive means for quickly locking the float plate 94 in the desired position.

Referring particularly to FIG. 8, the several positions of the float plate 94 during a lifting and lowering of the float plate between the operating and the non-operating position is shown. The initial lifting actuation of the hydraulic motor 116, pulls upwardly on bracket 97 and the crown beam to move the float plate 94. The attachment of the lifting link 125 rearwardly of the hanger roller 101 causes the trailing end of the float plate 94 to move upwardly prior to the leading edge as shown in the second position in FIG. 8. The rear thrust link 111 simultaneously pivots upwardly about the pin securing the link to the brace 114. The outer end of the link 111 moves forwardly slightly in accordance with the length of the link and shifts the plate 94 forwardly to the third position shown in FIG. 8.

The simultaneous forward sliding and lifting of the rear portion of the float plate 94 readily breaks the suction forces normally created between the plate 94 and the concrete 3 without damaging the surface of the concrete. Further the motor 116 does not have to directly overcome the large suction forces and a relatively small inexpensive unit can be employed.

The continued lifting of the float plate 94 causes it to move to a horizontal position and then to an upwardly and forwardly extending position for storage transportation and the like.

When lowering the float plate 94 onto a surface of concrete 3, the float finisher 4 is caused to move forwardly at least during the final lowering of the float plate 4. Consequently, the curved leading edge is the first to engage the surface and the plate 94 slides onto the surface. The slight rearward motion of the plate 94 does not cause the trailing edge to dig into the concrete 3 because the forward drive of the float finisher 4 maintains the absolute movement of the plate 94 in a forward direction.

The illustrated drag float apparatus may be pulled by the screed finisher 1 or may be selectively, positively driven from the engine 15, as follows.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, and 11, a chain drive is illustrated for operatively, selectively coupling the bogie wheels 53 and 54 to the center pivot and drive shaft 16 through the clutch assembly 41. Similar chain drives are normally provided for both the right and left bogie units 30 and 31 although only the right hand connection is shown in the drawings. Referring particularly to'FIG. 3, the clutch assembly 41 is shown as a conventional three-jaw type including a three-jaw sliding clutch member 129 which is slidably carried or journaled on the extension 38 of shaft 16 within the coupling arm 28. The jaw 129 is interconnected to the shaft extension 38 for rotation therewith by a suitable key .130 or the like. A cooperating three-jaw clutchmember 131 is journaled on the aligned stub shaft 40 for selective engagement with the clutch member 129 and thus to the shaft 16. The clutch member 131- forms a part of a take-off sprocket 132 which is connected by a chain 133 to a coupling sprocket 134 which is mounted on a shaft 135 immediately adjacent the rear portion of the coupling arm 28, as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 11. A jumper chain 136 is mounted within the side channel 58 of intermediate float supporting section 32 and meshes with a sprocket 137 on the shaft 135; The chain 136 also meshes with a sprocket 138 which is secured to a rotatably mounted idler shaft 139 in the back bogie unit 30. A take-up sprocket 140 is centrally mounted upon a shaft 141 within the side channel 58. The sprocket 140 is positioned beneath the lower portion or side of the chain 136 and is positioned to provide a convex path for the lower portion of the chain to take up the slack in the chain.

The jumper chain 136 is a single endless chain incorporating one or more separable chain elements 142 to allow ready opening of the chain. To fold the coupling arms 28 and 29 and the trailing bogies units 30 and 31 to the phantom line position shown in FIG. 2, the chain 136 is broken at the separate chain elements 142 or the like. The forward coupling arms 28 and 29 and the rear bogie units 30 and 31, each of which includes separate transmission units, may then be readily folded towards the support section to provide a small, compact assembly.

The idler shaft 138 of the rear bogie unit 30 is connected by a chain 143 to the central pivot and drive shaft 55. The bogie housing 52 is provided with an opening 144 through which the chain 143 passes. The shaft 55 is connected to the front wheel 53 by a chain 145 and to the rear wheel 54 by a similar chain 146.

When the float finisher 4 is mounted in operating position and the clutch 41 engaged, the wheels 53 and 54 are driven through the chain drive to positively move the float finisher.

The finishing operation of the illustrated embodiment of the invention is briefly summarized as follows.

The screed finisher 1 and float finisher 4 are mounted on the tracks 2. The screed 22 is lowered to rest on the tracks 2. The metering screed 27 is positioned over the concrete 3 by suitable setting of the setscrew 92. The float control setscrew 106 is set to determine the lower position limit of the float plate 94.

Concrete 3 is continuously and progressively deposited between the tracks 2 forwardly of the screed finisher 1 which is actuated to slowly move forward over the newly deposited concrete 3. The screed 22 servesto level the concrete and provide a first finish to the upper surface.

The float finisher 4 is drawn behind the screed finisher 1, or is positively driven through engagement of clutch assembly 41, to move the metering screed 27 and the float over the concrete 3. The screed 27 determines the height of the concrete 3. The float plate 94 of float 5 rests directly upon the upper surface of the concrete 3 and creates a smooth final surface.

Normal irregularities in the level of tracks 2 do not appreciably affect the level of the float plate 94 because of the pivotal connection to the screed finisher 1 established by the slot and shaft'coupling of the coupling arms 28 and 29 to the shaft extension 38 of the finisher 1 and because of rear wheel bogies 33 of the float finisher 4.

When the drag float finisher 4 is to be disconnected from the screed finisher 1, the hydraulic motor 116 is actuated to lift the float plate 94 to the non-operating position as previously. The chain 133 in coupling arm 28 is broken and the coupling arms 28 and 29 lifted upwardly and off of the shaft extension 38. The screed finisher 1 can then be moved independently of the float finisher 4 for individual operation, transportation and the like. The screed finisher 1 can then be employed in conventional screed type finishing operation without any modificaiton to the finisher except to add a trailing screed.

The float finisher 4 can be readily and rapidly prepared for transporting to another location by removing the bolts 47 to release the mating flanges 45 and 46 which fix the coupling arms 28 and 29 to the front of float supporting section 32 and the corresponding flange and bolt assemblies 51 which fix the frames 48 and 49 to the rear of float supporting section 32. The metering screed 27 is removed and the hinged hangers 71 and 72 swing upwardly over the float supporting section. The coupling arms 28 and 29 and the bogie units 30 and 31 are then pivoted to the phantom line position of FIGURE 2 to establish a compact assembly.

The front to rear dimension of the float support section 32 is selected such that with arms 28 and 29 and with bogie units 30 and 31 in the folded position, the total corresponding dimension is within the maximum permitted vehicle width for movement over standard highways. The float finisher 4 moves from one location to another in a direction transverse to the finishing movement of the finisher and can thus be transported with a minimum disassembly of the apparatus.

The flanges 45 and 46 and the corresponding flange assembly 51 for coupling to the front and rear of the float supporting section 32 are identical. Consequently, a self-contained float apparatus can be readily formed by securing bogie units 30 and 31 to the front of the supporting section 32. A separate engine drive would be provided and connected to the several wheels through the transmission unit previously described.

The present invention thus provides a relatively inexpensive separable drag float construction which may be readily, easily and quickly coupled and. decoupled to a conventional finish or the like.

The drag float construction of the present invention is highly portable because of the folding of the forward and trailing portions of the drag float into a very compact and relatively small package unit.

The drag float plate is simply and positively supported for floating movement over the top portion of the surface of the concrete. The float means is readily disposed between an operative and an inoperative position for transportation or for use as desired.

The initial cost of a float apparatus in accordance with the invention is low and because of the added versatility of the screed finisher the total investment required for equipment is reduced.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. In a trailing float apparatus for supporting a finishing float between track means defining a roadbed and adapted to be releasably coupled to a power driven vehicle having frame members parallel to and slightly inwardly of the track means, said float apparatus comprising a supporting frame structure for carrying a finishing float for longitudinal movement upon a newly deposited bed of concrete and having a front to back dimension within prescribed limits for transportation over the highways, said frame structure having side channels of an inverted U-shaped cross section spaced in accordance with the frame members of the power driven vehicle, a pair of coupling channels of an inverted U-shaped cross section, pivot means having a vertical pivot axis and connecting the coupling channels one each to the leading end of the side channels, the inner wall of said coupling channel being flared outwardly to extend forwardly adjacent the outer surface of said frame members, releasable coupling means having separable coupling elements secured to the terminal end of the coupling channels and for coupling to the power driven vehicle, outwardly projected flanges on the coupling channels and the supporting frame structure arranged in mating relation with the coupling channels extended in the direction of movement, means releasably connecting the mating flanges to hold the channels to the frame structure, a pair of supporting wheeled bogie members, pivot means having a vertical pivot axis and connecting the bogie members one each to the opposite end of the frame structure to movably support the adjacent end of the frame structure, flanges on the bogie members. and the adjacent supporting frame structure arranged in mating relation with the bogie members extended in the direction of movement, and means releasably connecting the mating flanges together to hold the bogie members to the frame structure.

2. In a float apparatus releasably coupled to a power driven vehicle and including a float for drag movement over a newly laid concrete bed to finish the top surface of the concrete bed, a float support section including laterally adjustable side channels having a U-shaped cross section, a pair of coupling channels having a cross-section corresponding to the side channels, pivot means having a vertical pivot axis and connecting the ends of the coupling channels one each to the forward end of the side channel for pivoting in a horizontal plane, the coupling channels extending forwardly adjacent the power driven vehicle for securement to the vehicle, releasable coupling means having separable coupling elements secured to the forward end of the coupling arms and the power driven vehicle releasably connecting the float apparatus to the vehicle, a pair of trailing support members having a cross-section generally corresponding to the side channels, pivot means having a vertical pivot axis and connecting the forward end of the trailing support members to the back end of the side channels for pivoting in a horizontal plane, drive means carried by said trailing support section and driving the float apparatus incident to actuation thereof, and a chain drive extending rearwardly through at least one set of the interconnected channels to the drive means and including separate units in the coupling channel and the trailing support member and a connecting chain carried by said float support section and releasably joining said separable units, said connecting chain including means to open the chain for releasing the adjacent coupling member and trailing support member for pivotal movement.

3. In a float apparatus adapted to be releasably coupled to a power driven vehicle to drag a float over a newly laid concrete bed to finish the top surface of the concrete bed, a float support section including laterally adjustable U-shaped side channels, a pair of coupling arms having a cross-section corresponding to the side channels and being pivotally secured to the forward end of the side channels for pivoting in a horizontal plane, a pair of trailing support members having a cross-section generally corresponding to the side channels and being pivotally secured to the back end of the side channels for pivoting in a horizontalplane, drive means carried by said trailing support section and adapted to positively move the float apparatus incident to actuation thereof, and a chain drive extending rearwardly through at least one series of channels to the drive means and including separable units in the coupling channel and the trailing support channel and a connecting chain carried by said float support section and releasably joining said separable units, said connecting chain including means for opening the chain and releasing the adjacent coupling member and trailing support member for pivotal movement.

4. In a concrete surface finisher assembly including a float finishing unit and a screed finishing unit adapted to be tandem connected, said screed finishing unit having at least one set of forward and rear wheels positively driven, a chain transmission including a power take-off adjacent the forward wheel, a pivot and drive shaft journaled in the screed finisher centrally of the forward and rear wheels, said chain transmission including chain means connecting said power take-off to the pivot and drive shaft and the rear wheel to the pivot and drive shaft to simultaneously rotate the pivot and drive shaft and the rear wheel, said float finishing unit including a rear wheel bogie and a coupling member releasably engaging said pivot and drive shaft, and a chain transmission to the rear wheel bogie in said float finishing unit and including a clutch means carried by said pivot and drive shaft.

5. A float support apparatus, which comprises a frame structure and a plate-like road finishing float supported from said frame structure to be movably mounted over a road, a channel support fixedly secured to the float and extending vertically upwardly therefrom, a vertical slot and roller coupling pivotally connecting the channel support to the frame, a thrust stabilizing means pivotally secured to the trailing end of the float and to the frame structure to transmit the thrust forces to the frame structure, said stabilizing means extending angularly downwardly from the frame structure, and lifting means carried by the frame structure and secured to said float rearwardly of the pivot axis of the vertical slot and roller.

6. A float apparatus, which comprises a frame structure and a plate-like road finishing float supported from said structure to be movably mounted over a road, a channel support fixedly secured to the float and extending vertically upwardly therefrom, said channel support having a vertical slot in the web portion, a roller fixedly secured to. the frame structure and releasably disposed within the slot, a flange on the roller engaging the adjacent surface of the web portion, a rigid thrust stabilizing means pivotally secured to the trailing end of the float and to the frame structure to transmit the thrust forces to the frame structure, said stabilizing means extending angularly downwardly from the frame structure, and vertically moving lifting means carried by the frame structure and operatively secured to the float rearwardly of the axis of the roller.

7. A float support apparatus, which comprises a frame structure and a plate-like road finishing float supported from said frame structure, a vertically extending lifting bracket support secured to the float and having a vertically extending slot in the upper portions thereof, a roller fixedly secured to the frame structure and journaled in the slot to slidably pivotally secure the lifting bracket support to the frame structure, a thrust stabilizing link pivotally. secured to the trailing end of the float and to the frame structure to transmit the thrust forces to the frame structure, said link extending downwardly and forwardly from the frame structure, a torque tube journaled within the frame structure and extending parallel to the float, crank means rigidly secured to the torque tube and extending radially therefrom over the float, link means pivotally secured to the crank and to the float rearwardly of the axis of the roller to selectively raise the float to a non-operative position and to lower the float to an operative position incident to rotative movement of the torque tube, and power means to selectively rotate the torque tube.

8. A float apparatus, which comprises a frame structure and a plate-like road finishing float supported from said frame structure, a vertically extending lifting bracket sup port secured to the float and having a vertically extending slot in the upper portion thereof, a roller fixedly secured to the frame structure with the axis of the roller parallel to the float and journaled in the slot to slidably pivotally couple the lifting bracket support to the frame structure,

a thrust stabilizing link pivotally secured to the trailing end of the float and to the frame structure to transmit the thrust forces to the frame structure, said link extending downwardly and forwardly from the frame structure, a torque tube rotatably supported on the frame structure and extending parallel to the float behind the horizontal axis of the roller, crank means rigidly secured to the torque tube and extending radially therefrom, vertically extending link means pivotally secured to the crank and the lifting bracket rearwardly of the axis of the roller to selectively raise the float to a non-operative position and to lower the float to an operative position incident to rotational movement of the torque tube, and a double acting hydraulic cylinder secured to the frame structure and connected by a crank to the torque tube to selectively lock the torque tube in alternate positions.

9. For use with spaced apart road forms between which concrete in a plastic state has been poured for finishing, a finishing-float machine comprising a primary self-propelled wheel frame adapted to ride upon the road forms, a first finishing screed, means suspending said first finishing screed from said primary frame to impose its weight upon and to ride upon said road forms, means connected to reciprocate said first .screed to impart a troweling finishing action to the plastic mix, a secondary wheeled frame having a forwardly extending draw bar means, a finishing float pan on said secondary frame and being positioned to impart a final finish to the plastic concrete, means for adjusting the finishing surface of the float pan in parallel relationship to the plane of said secondary frame, pivotal means connecting the draw bar of the secondary frame to the primary frame at a point between the front and rear wheels of the primary frame, screed hanger means carried by said secondary frame forwardly of said float pan, a secondary finishing screed having a surface working pan, means adjustably supporting said secondary screed working pan on said screed hanger means to adjust the working plane of said secondary screed relative to the plane of said secondary frame, and means to reciprocate said working pan of said secondary screed relative to said secondary frame.

10. A finishing-float machine as claimed in claim 9 further comprising trucks for the wheels of the secondary frame in which the wheels are journaled in pairs, two front and two rear wheels spaced apart in fore and aft direction, said wheels adapted to ride the forms, and frame members projecting rearwardly from the secondary frame having their rear ends pivoted to the trucks between the front and rear wheels of said trucks.

11.. A finishing-float machine as claimed in claim 10 further comprising means for pivotally connecting said frame members to the secondary frame to swing inwardly of the sides thereof to positions close to the rear portions of the secondary frame.

12. A finishing-float machine as claimed in claim 11 in which said drawbar means comprises front and rear sections, the rear section affixed to and forming part of the secondary frame, the front section pivoted to the rear section for overlapping with the secondary frame to reduce side width for road travel.

13. In a trailing float apparatus for road finishing, a float support section, a pair of coupling arms and a pair of trailing support members secured by pivot means having a vertical pivot axis to the opposite ends of the support section, attachment means secured to the forward ends of the coupling arms for attachment to a drive section, means to selectively secure said coupling arms and said trailing support members in a position perpendicular to the float support section and in an inwardly folded position adjacent the front and back of the float support section to reduce the front to back length for road travel, transmission means including individual drive units in at least one of said coupling arms and a corresponding trailing support member and a connecting drive unit carried by the support section releasably coupled at oppo- 16- site ends to the individual drive units, said drive unit being released to permit folding of said coupling members and trailing support members, and wheel means in the trailing support members connected to and driven by the drive unit in the trailing support member.

14. The float apparatus of claim 13 wherein said attachment means includes means to permit relative pivotal movement in a vertical plane of the coupling members.

15. The float apparatus of claim 14 wherein said attachment means includes a coupling plate having a downwardly opening slot adapted to releasably mate with a pin on the drive section.

16. In a trailing float apparatus for road finishing, a float support section, a pair of coupling arms and a pair of trailing support members secured by pivot means having a vertical pivot axis to the opposite ends of the support section, attachment means secured to the forward ends of the coupling arms for attachment to a drive section, means to selectively secure said coupling arms and said trailing support members in a position perpendicular to the float support section and in an inwardly folded position adjacent the front and back of the float support section to reduce the front to back length for road travel, a screed hanger pivotally secured on a horizontal axis to the front of the float support section and positionable between a horizontally forwardly projecting operating position and to a second position with the hanger pivoted upwardly and rearwardly over the support section and from the path of the coupling arms whereby the coupling arms may fold against the front of the support section, and means secured to the hanger for supporting a screed.

17. A float apparatus, which comprises a frame structure and a plate like road finishing float supported therefrom, a support on said float, a plate having a slot and a pivot shaft being received in said slot, said plate and pivot shaft being connected one each to the frame structure and to the support and providing for vertical sliding and pivotal movement of the support and the float, a rigid thrust link pivotally connected to the frame structure and to a trailing portion of the float, said link extending angularly downwardly and forwardly from the frame structure to the float, and lifting means secured between the frame structure and a point on the support rearwardly of the pivot shaft to positively raise and lower the float in a vertical direction and with the trailing edge of the float initially rising faster than the leading edge and the float moves forwardly incident to the lifting and to the pivotal movement of the thrust link.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,584,385 Lichtenberg May 11, 1926 1,586,325 Older May 25, 1926 1,833,387 Briggs Nov. 24, 1931 2,009,542 Day July 30, 1935 2,038,498 Mosel Apr. 21, 1936 2,054,436 Mosel Sept. 15, 1936 2,245,426 Baker June 10, 1941 2,289,248 Davis July 7, 1942 2,303,335 Day Dec. 1, 1942 2,358,085 Millikin Sept. 12, 1944 2,695,552 Baltes Nov. 30, 1954 2,723,608 Jackson Nov. 15, 1955 2,890,632 Madison June 16, 1959 2,909,970 Jackson Oct. 27, 1959 2,922,345 Mentes Jan. 26, 1960 2,938,438 Hamilton May 31, 1960 3,035,499

Domenighetti May 22, 1962 

2. IN A FLOAT APPARATUS RELEASABLY COUPLED TO A POWER DRIVEN VEHICLE AND INCLUDING A FLOAT FOR DRAG MOVEMENT OVER A NEWLY LAID CONCRETE BED TO FINISH THE TOP SURFACE OF THE CONCRETE BED, A FLOAT SUPPORT SECTION INCLUDING LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE SIDE CHANNELS HAVING A U-SHAPED CROSS SECTION, A PAIR OF COUPLING CHANNELS HAVING A CROSS-SECTION CORRESPONDING TO THE SIDE CHANNELS, PIVOT MEANS HAVING A VERTICAL PIVOT AXIS AND CONNECTING THE ENDS OF THE COUPLING CHANNELS ONE EACH TO THE FORWARD END OF THE SIDE CHANNEL FOR PIVOTING IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE, THE COUPLING CHANNELS EXTENDING FORWARDLY ADJACENT THE POWER DRIVEN VEHICLE FOR SECUREMENT TO THE VEHICLE, RELEASABLE COUPLING MEANS HAVING SEPARABLE COUPLING ELEMENTS SECURED TO THE FORWARD END OF THE COUPLING ARMS AND THE POWER DRIVEN VEHICLE RELEASABLY CONNECTING THE FLOAT APPARATUS TO THE VEHICLE, A PAIR OF TRAILING SUPPORT MEMBERS HAVING A CROSS-SECTION GENERALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE SIDE CHANNELS, PIVOT MEANS HAVING A VERTICAL PIVOT AXIS AND CONNECTING THE FORWARD END OF THE TRAILING SUPPORT MEMBERS TO THE BACK END OF THE SIDE CHANNELS FOR PIVOTING IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE, DRIVE MEANS CARRIED BY SAID TRAILING SUPPORT SECTION AND DRIVING THE FLOAT APPARATUS INCIDENT TO ACTUATION THEREOF, AND A CHAIN DRIVE EXTENDING REARWARDLY THROUGH AT LEAST ONE SET OF THE INTERCONNECTED CHANNELS TO THE DRIVE MEANS AND INCLUDING SEPARATE UNITS IN THE COUPLING CHANNEL AND THE TRAILING SUPPORT MEMBER AND A CONNECTING CHAIN CARRIED BY SAID FLOAT SUPPORT SECTION AND RELEASABLY JOINING SAID SEPARABLE UNITS, SAID CONNECTING CHAIN INCLUDING MEANS TO OPEN THE CHAIN FOR RELEASING THE ADJACENT COUPLING MEMBER AND TRAILING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT. 